Enhanced Code Enforcement Efforts Underway

Strike Teams Focus on Zoning, Building and Safety Violations

Fairfax County is undertaking a countywide effort to crack down on
illegal boarding houses, and today, the code enforcement teams are
operating in the northern and southern parts of the county.

Earlier this week, the strike teams had already issued violations for
four homes, and the county is pursuing legal action against two
properties. Residents can report a suspected illegal boarding house at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/striketeam.

“Overcrowded and illegal boarding houses harm more than just our quality
of life,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly. “These
illegal homes can be unsafe for the residents living in them, as well as
the neighborhood. This effort is aimed at keeping our neighborhoods safe,
vital and attractive.”

On Friday, June 8, at 9 a.m., the media are invited to a briefing on the
enforcement effort at the Burkholder Building, 10700 Page Avenue,
Fairfax. Chairman Connolly, members of the Board of Supervisors and code
enforcement officials will be available to answer questions.

Deputy County Executive Robert A. Stalzer leads the overall initiative,
and there are 15 different county agencies staffing the effort’s
operations, planning, logistics, financing and administration.
Operationally, there are two strike teams composed of zoning, building,
health and fire code inspectors. Police officers, sheriff’s deputies and
county attorneys are also supporting the teams’ efforts.

The teams are responsible for inspecting residential properties
suspected to be illegal boarding houses or with suspected violations. As
part of the initiative, the county also will seek to prosecute landlords
who are profiting from systematically violating zoning, building and
safety ordinances.

Given the recent changes in state law, the county will use all the
authority currently available while continuing to consider any new
legislation that may be needed to deal with illegal boarding houses.

For more information, please contact Merni Fitzgerald, Office of Public
Affairs, at 703-324-3187, TTY 711.

Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of
disability in all county programs, services and activities. To request
this information in an alternate format, call the Office of Public
Affairs at 703-324-3187, TTY 711.